21 comments:

Is there any way we could offset some of the loss at NK for Whitman's fuckheadery? In other words, I'd like to donate to them without making a purchase. Whitman's cost them enough. I'd like to give back.

Tim, you can always buy something from them. I've ordered so many out of print games from these guys, they are super fast, and they make sure that everything is really well packaged. Their prices are reasonable, but Im sure they would appreciate the business and some advertising over a donation. Failing that just spread the good will and the good word.

I placed an order around midnight on a Sunday. The next day, at lunch, I spotted something on ebay and realized NobleKnight was the seller. Great, I thought, I'll add it to my order. Nope, too late. They had already shipped my midnight order.

Well I woke up to yet another email from one of Ken's 'friend's maintaining Ken 'means well' and doesn't set out to fail. I want to make it clear what happened with these books in this latest revelation. While a lot backers were complaining about not receiving their books, Ken took the books he had in hand and SOLD them to Noble Knight. We've been compiling a list of backers who never got their books. Almost all of them are European addresses. Now Ken charged $100 for these books. For those in Europe he had them prepay $40+ in shipping. So that's $140 per book (less the $17 or so to print them) he pocketed. THEN he sold them for (Im guessing $25 to $50 each) to NK for further profit. Nice work if you can find it I guess.I don't want to hear that Ken "means well" any more. Sorry, I'm a little annoyed with these most recent revealation. Learning he had the books in hands and just didn't send them out is a jaw dropper.When someone says this guy "means well" they are acting as an enabler to allow this guy to do this sort of thing to the next person in line.

Went to their site and ended up making my first RPG purchase in years: the original Kingdoms of Kalamar boxed set. They actually have a pretty good deal on it. Most copies that I've found cost thrice as much, and even Volume I by itself tends to cost more

Their HQ and brick and mortar store is right down the road from me. It is a regular stopping point for me.Their staff is also friendly and helpful in person, and their deals (both purchasing AND selling) are consistently good.We're lucky to have them here in Janesville, WI.

The first salvo has been fired over at Stage 32: https://www.stage32.com/profile/505118Someone going by the onscreen name "ActingTeacher" claiming to be in Des Moines, IA has posted a public comment on Whitless's page all about his scandals. Also included is a link to an "Open Letter to Ken Whitman" by Jolly's wife, Barb. Whitless hasn't been on the site for a week (or at least logged in), so who knows how long it will stay.

Second salvo has been fired over at Stage 32.. Whitless, who by the status info on his bio page said he was "Last Online" a week ago, now shows "Last Online" as today, and Disgruntled Customer's post is gone. Poof. Vaporized. Meanwhile, more of the Traveller resin models have shown up in a retail store. Read Ken Carlson's post from today (Nov 24) at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/d20e/kodt-live-action-series/comments This store is in Kentucky, and is run by a Ken-Lover, so the chances of another Noble Knight happening seems remote at best.

Update: Ken the Whitless has posted a Comment in response to a post over at the notanotherdime blog: http://notanotherdime.blogspot.com/2015/11/20151116-much-more-of-ken-whitmans.html#comment-form

The original blogpost was about the Traveller minis showing up at the store in KY (that also appears on the Troll & Toad webstore). In response to a Comment asking if "perhaps this seller does business with Troll & Toad," there is this signed by "Ken Whitman:"

Ken Whitman November 24, 2015 at 3:31 AMPerhaps , all the unpainted resin models have shipped, and all the painted ones are defects or damaged?

Interesting. We know not all of the unpainted resin ships are in backer's hands and a lot of folks due handprinted ships are waiting for theirs as well. Fortunately Noble Knight has been able to get some of both to backer's hands. I heard more are to follow. I've heard a claim the ships in the pictures were damaged/broken ships not suited for backer fulfillment. So there is that possibility.

Tenkar's Tavern is supported by various affiliate programs, including Amazon, RPGNow, and Humble Bundleas well asPatreon. Your patronage is appreciated and helps keep the lights on and the taps flowing - Your Humble Bartender, Tenkar

Search This Blog

Translate

Contributors

Why "Swords & Wizardry?"

Believe me when I say I have them all in dead tree format. I have OSRIC in full size, trade paperback and the Player's Guide. I have LL and the AEC (and somewhere OEC, but I can't find it at the moment). Obviously I have Basic Fantasy RPG. Actually, I have the whole available line in print. Way too much Castles & Crusades. We all know my love for the DCC RPG. I even have Dark Dungeons in print, the Delving Deeper boxed set, Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea (thank you Kickstarter) (edit) BOTH editions of LotFP's Weird Fantasy and will soon have some dead tree copies of the Greyhawk Grognards Adventures Dark & Deep shipping shortly in my grubby hands awaiting a review..

I am so deep in the OSR when I come up for breath it's for the OSR's cousin, Tunnels & Trolls (and still waiting on dT&T to ship).

So, out of all that, why Swords & Wizardry? Why, when I have been running a AD&D 1e / OSRIC campaign in Rappan Athuk am I using Swords & Wizardry and it's variant, Crypts & Things, for the second campaign? (Actually, now running a S&W Complete campaign, soon to be with multiple groups)

Because the shit works.

It's easy for lapsed gamers to pick up and feel like they haven't lost a step. I can house rule it and it doesn't break. It plays so close to the AD&D of my youth and college years (S&W Complete especially) that it continually surprises me. Just much less rules hopping than I remember. (my God but I can run it nearly without the book)

I grab and pick and steal from just about all OSR and Original resources. They seem to fit into S&W with little fuss. It may be the same with LL and the rest, but for me the ease of use fit's my expectations with S&W.

Even the single saving throw. That took me longer to adjust to, but even that seems like a natural to me now. Don't ask me why, it just does. Maybe it's the simplicity of it. At 45 48, simplicity and flexibility while remaining true to the feel of the original is an OSR hat trick for me ;)